Indirect illumination.



H. G. D'NEILL & W. E. PEARSON.

INDIRECT ILLUMINATION.

APPLICATION FILED ocr. 20. 1916. RENEwED AUG. 1. 1911.

Patented Feb. 26, 1918.

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY G.' oNEILL AND WARD E. PEAnsoN, 0E NEW YORK, N. Y.

INDIRECT ILLUMI'NATION.

Specication 'offLetters Patent. y Patented Feb. 26, 1918. l

Application ledctober 20, 1916, Serial No. 126,662. Renewed August 7, 1917. Serial No. 184,975.

To all whom z' may concern: n

Be it known that we, HENRY G. ONEILL and WARD E. PEARsoN, citizens of the United States, residing at New York city, in thel county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and. useful Improvements in Indirect Illumination, of which the following is a specification.` D This invention relates in part to indirect illumination, and in part to direct illumination, preferably by electric lights. The main object of this invention is to obtain a n arrangement of indirect or reflected electric or other light rays with a mirror whereby the light rays are reflected on a person to illuminate him as an object before the mirror wherein such person looking into the mirror obtains a reiected image of himself that definitely exhibits features-that would not be otherwise clearly and distinctlyvisible.

We herein describe two diiferent means of effecting the indirect illumination feature of our invention, the iirst described embodiment of the invention being in the form of a portable electric lain andthe second described form of the invention relating to al stationary or built-in construction.

In the accompanying drawings forming a Y' part hereof, Figures 1 to 8 are` views of a portable electric lamp,

Fig. 1 being a top view of one formof my new lamp, with the case cover closed.

Fig. z is a. view similar to Fig. 1 except that the case cover is wideropen, in which position it can be used for direct illumination. o

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the lamp at line 3-3 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the lamp .showing the complementary case members wide'open and the cover also wide open.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the lamp.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation viewed at line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view at line 7-7 of Fig. 5 showing the cover closed and illustrating one of two devices for holding the complementary hinged case members in closed position.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation at line 8--8 of Fig. l through the front complementary case member, and particularly illustrates the other of the two lockin means for holding the case members close In the drawings, 1 and 2 are sheet-metal case-forming members, each being cupped and iitting together edgewise to form a complete case. Their opposed lower edges are hinged together at 3. The upper end of the closed case is provided.with a light-ray exit formed by the edge walls 14, 14 and intermediate back side wall 15 of an integral complementary neck-forming extension of case member l, and by corresponding edge walls 14, 14 and the intermediate back side wall 15 of an integral complementary neckforming extension of case member 2. These neck-forming extensions it together edgewise when the case members 1 and 2 are closed. The open neck thus formed is preferablyoblong in cross-sectional contour, and the oneck, cross-sectionally considered, is a reduction of the complete case with the opposed intermediate and longer front and back walls 15 parallel with the broader front and back walls 0f the case members 1 and 2 in order to give a'satisfactory amount of reflected light for direct illumination of the p user. -For the light-ray exit thus provided there is an adjustable cover 4 which near its edges is provided with inwardly-extending parallel ends 5. The rear edge of the cover is hinged at 6 to the back wall 15 of case imember 1 which is provided with a transverse fixed lamp-bulb-supporting plate 7, the ends 8 of which are inturned and parallel. Plate 7 is perpendicular to the front and back side walls of the case and is located below the upper edges of the neck-forming extensions..

Plate 7 is shorter than the distance'between the edge walls 14, 14 of member 1 in order to form two guideways 9 the outward end of each of which is shown at and between an opposed edge wall 14 and the corner formed by the horizontal intermediate plate 7 and one of its inwardly bent ends 8. The ends 5 of cover 4 work into these guideways when the case is closed,^the outward surface of each end 5 making frietional contact with a neck wall 14 whereby the ends 5 and walls 14, by thus frictionally contacting, constitute a means for holding-'the cover shut; and the inner surface of each cover end 5 makes frictional contact with an end 8 of the lightbulb-supporting plate 7. Such frictional Contact also constitutes a ,further means for holding the coverl shut. Plate 7 is wide enough from back to front to form a transverse partition through the closed case, and

its rear edge is fixed` to case 1. Thus hinge cover 4 may be partially opened and frictionally held in adjusted position at an angle to the axis of the lamp bulb. rlhe cover may be opened full as shown in Fig. 2 for direct lighting as in an ordinary portable' so that only the refiected light shines out at the front top end 0f the case. The electric light bulb l0 is mounted in plate 7 with its outward end below the outward edges of the neck-forming walls 14 and 15. As shown, plate 7 has at its front edge a width sutili cient to form a transverse partition for the closed case at the bottom of the neck extension, and has a boss 11 for reception in a hole 12 formed in a spring clip 13 which at one end is secured to case member 2. When the case members are closed, boss 11 and clip 18 become. interlocked to hold the case members closed. The clip is provided with an accessible thumb-piece projecting through a hole in member 2 for disengaging clip 13 from boss 11 when the case is to be, opened. For greater security and by preference we provide another spring lock for holding the case members closed and it is formed with a spring arm 16 an end of which is xed to case member 1, and the bent free end of which extends forwardly to interlock with the bent end of a clip 16B carried by the front case member 2. Case member 1 is provided withv an interior transverse spring plate switch 17 an end of which is fixed to thecase member. rlhe bottom electrode of the light bulb is located to make contact with the usual electrode 7J of the lamp dry-battery B, the usual upstanding Velectrode of which is in the path of a spring switch 17. Case member 1 is provided with a spring vclip 18 to hold the battery in place, and with bearings 19 for the bottom and edges of the battery. When cover 4 is closed, and during the closing movement, one of the cover ends engages the free end portion of switch 17, and pressing it out of contact with electrode Z5 opens the lamp circuit. During the opening movement of the cover, such cover end moves away from the switch, the spring action of which allows it to engage electrode b to turn on the light. 'The front edges of the cover ends 5,

are cut away (Fig. 6)v to permit them to swing into and out of closed position for partially opening the cover when the case members are closed. Preferably case member 2` cated on the front side ofthe case so as to be used with reflected light lfrom the inner surface of the cover and shining on the user is one feature of this invention. In the construction shown, the mirror frame 22 has an accessible knob 25 for convenience in opening the 'mirror frame, and the frame has a spring-locking clip 26 a recessed portion of which engages a boss 27 on a wall of the chamber 21 to hold the closure formed by the mirror frame and mirror, shut. While cover 4 may be partially opened to shed its reflected light as stated, without the use of any positive arresting means, we yet prefer to provide such means, and consequently one of the cover-.ends 5 is provided with a lug 28 that projects laterally outward and abuts against a case wall, as shown in Fig. 6, when cover 4 has been partially opened into its desired angular position with reference to the axis of the light bulb. To open cover4 wide, as shown in Fig. 2, when it is desired to use this portable lamp for direct lighting, it is necessary in the construction shown, to first open the front casing; for otherwise the lug 28 would prevent the full opening movement of cover 4.

The advantages of my invention are: slin-4 plicity ot' construction; when the cover of the portable device shown in Figs. 1 `to 8 inelusive is lifted into acute-angle light-ray reecting position, the light may beused to examine a program or the like without throwing light in other directions to the annoyance of others; the cover may be lifted wide open for using the lamp for direct lighting; by gilding the inner face of the cover, the Hash-light will emit a softened, pleasing golden glow when the cover is in its light-ray reiiectin position; the construction is such that by simply lifting the cover the lamp may be put in circuit and by closing the cover the lamp may be electrically disconnected from the battery,- and hereby we obviate the use of switches that require to be constantly held in position by the user, and also the use of slidable contactswhich require to be manipulated to throw on and extinguish the light and which are liable in many positions, as in pockets and in bureau drawers, tobecoine accidentally moved for throwing on the light; and the provision of the powder puff container and mirror adds to the convenience and utility of our vnew lamp for use persons attending plays, concerts and the What we claim is:

1. The combination of a casing with a self-contained source of direct light; means for turning the `light on and off; a reflector hinged to the casing and positionable at an angle to the paths of light rays from such source; and a mirror positioned for ob servation by a person when illuminated by the reflected light rays; the reflector being provided on its inward side with projecting ends to prevent the light rays from the.

source of direct light escaping laterally, and one of said ends' being provided with a lug adapted to arrest the reflector when raised into an angular position; and within the casing, wall surfaces which frictionally7 contact with said reflector ends to hold the re- Hector in its angular position, and an abutment surface against which said lug abuts when the reflector is in its angular position.

2. The combination of a casing having a light-ray exit; a battery, an@y electric lamp, and electrical connections including a switch between the battery and the lamp, all mounted within the casing; a mirror surface on an outward side of the casing; and a hinged cover for said exit, the cover cooperating with the switch to disconnect the lamp electrically from the battery and being fully openable for direct lighting, and being partially openable to permit impingement of light rays from the electric lamp on the inward surface of the cover asa reiiector `for indirect illumination of a person when holding the casing in position for observation of his image in the mirror. n

3. The combination of a casing having a light-ray exit; a battery; an electric lamp; electrical connections comprising a sprin switch between the Vbatter and lamp; an

a hinged cover for said exit, thecover com' prising a member which on the closing movement of the cover engages the switch to disconnect the battery from the lamp electrically, and the spring action of the switch effecting an electric connection of the battery and lamp during an opening movement of the cover; 4means for holding the cover in either a closed or partially open position; and abutment members for arresting the opening movement of the cover when it is in an angular position.

4. The combination of a casing having a light-ray exit; abattery, electric lamp, and electric connections comprising switch members between said battery and lamp; a hinged hood-forming cover construction for said exit and constructed to cover the exit except at one space; a mirror on an outward cover is closed; and the switch bein lamp-supporting plate.

. cluding ends and dimensioned fully to cover the light-ray exit formed by the complementary neck-forming extensions when they are closed together; a battery detachably mounted in the chamber of the casing; an electric lamp mounted in said chamber;

Celectric connections comprising a switch for the battery and lamp; and an exterior mirror surface on a casing wall adjacent the front edge of the cover; means for holding the cover partially open whereby its inner surface acts as a light-ra reflector; and means for locking the casing members together; the cover having a portion which engages and presses the switch into electrically disconnected position when the constructed to throw the switch into e ectric connecting nposition when the cover is opened.

6. The combination of a casin com prising a pair of hinged members an having a light-ray exit; means for locking such members together when closed; a demountable battery, and electric lamp; electrical connections comprising a switch for the battery and lamp; and a cover hinged to one of said members and dimensioned to close said opening, the cover comprising a switch-actuating member; each of said members comprising a three-walled neck-extension; a lamp-supporting plate fixed to one of the members and provided with inturned end portions; and the cover having end-formin members constructed and operating frictionally to contact with the inturned end portions of the 7. 4The combination of a battery-holding casing having a light-ray exit; an electric light bulb; a supporting plate for the bulb; a battery; electrical connections for the battery and bulb; a spring switchfor said exit a hinged cover constructed and operating .to hold the spring switch in electrically dis: connected position; and means for holding the cover shut, said means comprising a member carried by the cover and a portion of the plate carrying the electric light bulb.

8. The combination of a battery-holding casing having a lightray exit; an' electric iiou - light bulb; a battery; electric connections tions and switch being Wholly Within the chamber of the casing; and for Said exit, a hinged cover provided With a member Working Within said chamber for engaging the switch to throw it into electrically disconnected position when the cover is shut, the

matassa and means for holding the cover shut or partially open, and comprising a lug for arresting the cover in its opening movement.

In testimony whereof We have `hereunto 15 set our hands this 18th day of October, 1916.

HENRY G. ONEILL. WARD E. PEARSON, 

